Growth response and agonistic behaviour of cockerel chickens to feeding trough shapes

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding trough shapes on growth performance and agonistic behaviour of cockerels. A total of 240 eight weeks old Hacro black cockerels were used in the experiment which lasted for four weeks. The birds were divided into 3 treatments based on circular, rectangular and square-shaped feeding troughs of 80 birds per treatment and 20 birds per replicate of four in a Completely Randomized Design. Daily weight gains and the frequency of agonistic behaviour at both feeding and non-feeding periods were recorded. The final weight, weight gain and feed intake of the cockerels were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the feeding troughs with birds on square-shaped feeding trough recording the highest values. Feeding trough shapes had no effect on the mean agonistic behaviour during the feeding and non- feeding periods though the frequency of agonistic acts was more prominent during the feeding period. The study revealed that in terms of growth response and for reduced agonistic behaviour, the square-shaped feeding troughs could be adopted for cockerel production.

Keywords: Feeding troughs, cockerels, head pecks, chases, pushes, weight gain.